Locomotive driving-box wedge adjuster



Jan. 13, 192 I 1,523,233

W. D. MEASE Filed Jan. 16, 1924 iii-i Patented Jan, 13, 1925.

WILBU'R D. MEASE, OF lVIoMECHEN, VJEST VIRGINIA.

LOCOMOTIVE DRIVING-BOX V/EDGE ADJUSTER.

Application filed January 16, 1924.

To (ZZZ whom it may mm:

Be it known that I, VVILBUR D. Manse, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mo- Mechen, in the county of Marshall and State of West Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Locomotive Driving-Box edge Adjusters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to wedge adjusters for the wedges of locomotive driving boxes the general object of the invention being to so form the adjusters that they can be easily replaced when damaged, without removing the pedestal cap.

Another object of the invention is to so form the parts that the wedge can have limited movement to prevent damage to the adjuster.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illus trated in the accompanying drawings and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which r- Figure 1 is an elevation showing the invention in use.

Figure 2 is a section on line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section on line 33 of F igure 2.

Figure 4 is a section on line 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the lower portion of a wedge.

In these views 1 indicates a frame, 2 the pedestal cap and 3 the wedge. As is well known a bolt is used foradjusting the wedge, said bolt passing through the pedestal cap with itsend projecting so that this end can be engaged by a wrench in order to adjust the wedge. These bolts are fre quently damaged by coming in contact with various objects so that they have to be re uewed. This is a difficult job as it requires the removal of the pedestal cap.

It is the obj eot of my invention to so form the adjusters that they can be removed and replaced without removing the pedestal cap. In carrying out my invention I provide a v enlarged upper Serial No. 686,610.

bolt- 1 and a head 5 which is detachably connected with the bolt so that either part can be removed without removing the pedestal cap. The head engages the slot 6 formed in the lower end of the wedge 3 and has its end provided with the beveled faces 7 which are so formed as to permit play of the wedge and thus prevent damage to the head if the wedge should be moved laterally. This end of the head is also provided with a hole 8 for receiving :1 pin or tool to hold the head against: turning movement when the bolt is being placed in engagement therewith or is being disengaged therefrom. The lower end of the head is provided with a screw threaded socket 9 for receiving the upper end of the bolt and these parts are fastened together by a pin 10. The upper end of the socket 9 is of cone shape to receive the cone-shaped end of the bolt, this formation of the parts and the pin 10 acting to remove strain from the threads of the screw and socket. The pedestal cap is provided with slots 11 for receiving the lower ends of the heads and when it is necessary to remove an adjuster the adjuster is turned until the pin 10 is in alignment with the slot 11 so that it can be knocked out to permit the screw to be unscrewed from the head. A pin is placed in the socket 8 through the slot 6 in the wedge to hold the head against turning movement when the screw is being removed therefrom or inserted in the heat.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided means whereby the adjusters can be easily and quickly removed and replaced without removing the pedestal cap. The beveled faces on the enlarged part of the head permits a certain amount of play of the wedge which prevents damage to the head and the pin 10 and the coneshapcd upper end of the screw acts to remove strain from the threads of the screw. lithcr the screw or its head can be removed and replaced by a new one so that if one is damaged this damaged part need only be replaced as the undamaged part can be used with the new part.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of my invention will be readily apparent.

I desire it to be understood that I may make changes in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

'What I claim is 1. A. wedge adjuster of the class described comprising a head for engaging a wedge, a screw detachably engaging the head said head having beveled faces on the part which engages the wedge for permitting play ofthe wedge.

2. A wedge adjuster of the class described comprising a head, having a threaded socket, a screw engaging said socket and a .pin passing through the socket and screw for holding the parts together.

3. A wedge adjuster of the class described comprising a head having a threaded socket,

a screw engaging said socket. a pin passingthrough the socket and screw for holding the parts together, the upper end of the screw being of cone shape to engage the cone-shaped upper end of the socket.

4. A wedge adjuster of the class described comprising ahead having an enlarged upper end provided with beveled faces for permitting play of the wedge, said enlarged upper end having a hole therein, the lower end of the head having a threaded socket, a screw having its upper end engaging the threaded socket, a pin for connecting the screw with the head, the upper end of the screw beingof cone shape to engage the cone-shaped upper end of the socket.

In testimony whereof I afiixlmy signature.

WILBUR n. amass. 

